Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the New England Patriots in the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The Lions will enter the regular season opener at Ford Field vs. the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8 as a mystery.

The first three preseason games weren't particularly revealing. The fourth, Thursday at Buffalo, is designed to simply avoid injury.

The play of the defensive line Thursday vs. New England, a misleading 40-9 Detroit win, was indicative of the perplexing state of the Lions as a whole.

You can see potential greatness in the defensive line. Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Ziggy Ansah - they are truly gifted. The Lions' defensive line put extreme pressure on Patriots' future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

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Yet, at the same time, Fairley took an unnecessary cheap shot for a penalty. Defensive end Willie Young, who is not without promise, decided to shove Brady, and then point his finger in his face long after a play ended. Think about it - Willie Young trying to intimidate Tom Brady by taunting him. It was silly.

Young was flagged, just like the previous week at Cleveland. Jim Schwartz, thankfully, pulled him from the game. C.J. Mosley, another Lions' defensive lineman, also took an unnecessary after-the-whistle penalty. It's like, "here we go again."

It's undisciplined. It's unnecessary. It has been the Detroit Lions. If they are going to be a legitimate contender, it must change. What has transpired during the preseason, in that regard, has been very disappointing.

What has been impressive is the skill level of the newcomers. Free agent running back Reggie Bush has speed, quickness and the ability to evade tacklers. In tandem with Calvin Johnson, who didn't play the last two preseasons after flashing his brilliance in the first one, should make the Lions' offense explosive.

Bush has been, by far, the best thing the Lions' offense has displayed during the preseason. He can run inside if necessary, but his unique skill is making the most of getting the ball in space. It wouldn't surprise me if he catches 80-plus passes this season, and gets more than 300 touches overall this season. With Johnson, it doesn't leave much for the rest of the Lions' offensive skill players, but they can't be nonexistent.

But balance is a key. What do the Lions have in Brandon Pettigrew, the much-maligned tight end? Is it the player who was very good in 2011, or the one who struggled in 2012? Nate Burleson seems to have trouble separating from defenders this preseason. Is that because he is older and coming off an injury or is this just preseason and it won't matter once the regular season begins? The Lions receiving corps was not productive for the most part. A sign of trouble or no big deal?

Free agent safety Glover Quin has played well. He is a sure tackler, which is important at safety, and seems to be in the right places. Louis Delmas did get back on the field Thursday. The Lions' secondary improved dramatically as a result. Can he stay healthy?

The back and forth, the ying and yang showed in the kicking game. David Akers drilled a couple long field goals. He also missed a short one. Rookie punter Sam Martin was very impressive in the preseason opener vs. the Jets and Thursday vs. the Patriots. He wasn't nearly as good at Cleveland during Game 2.

The Lions seemingly lacked an explosive kick returner entering the preseason. The Lions will seemingly enter the regular season lacking an explosive kick returner.

"You just want to see the team responded. We just wanted to make a statement physically," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said after Thursday's game.

They did that, but D-line took it too far.

"It's good it is happening for us now because we have time to work on it before the regular season," Bush said.

Yeah, but a lot of these issues have been going on for years. More cynical Lions' fans would say decades.

If the Lions weren't coming off a 4-12 season, you could look at their performance Thursday like it was the perfect blend of an impressive win over a quality opponent featuring perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time - and a lot of teaching points.

But they were 4-12 and it's uncertain whether they are a work in progress or just something destined not to work.

The good part: It's almost September and we'll find out sooner instead of later.